Secular Sermons

Secular Sermons in Roman Catholic terminology, are discourses preached at the centennial jubilee of any religious or benevolent institution, association, etc. Their purpose is to review the history and work of the agency in question, or to rehearse the displays of divine grace manifested in and through its life. The scope of such sermons will consequently be determined in each case by the character of the solemnities of which they form a part. An appropriate treatment of the theme selected will include the presentation of noteworthy features belonging to the subject, or the discussion of some religious topic which may be deduced from or illustrated by the occasion in which the celebration takes its rise, followed by direct application of the theme, and concluding with a prayer or doxology or a suitable exhortation. The style and mode of delivery should be solemn. When the celebration is on account of a nonreligious subject, the nature of religious discourse requires that it be discussed in its religious or moral bearings.